Library to host summer reading kickoff for adults & teens

For the past several years, the Canton Public Library has sponsored a kickoff picnic for children to celebrate the start of its annual summer reading program. This month, the library staff is adding something new.

With the theme of “Beyond the Beaten Path,” staff members would like to remind people that summer reading is for everyone. So instead of one kickoff event this year, they are hosting two — a picnic for kids on Tuesday, June 21, at 1:30 p.m. and an evening party for teens and adults later that same day from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“We have had a teen and adult summer reading program for several years,” explained Young Adult Librarian Rosie Moore, “but we always have to change it every year. It’s never something that people think is for them. They think summer reading is for kids. And we do just really want to emphasize this year that it’s not just for kids. Summer reading is for everyone and there are ways they can motivate themselves to read or reward themselves for reading and take that time for themselves to read whatever they want to read.”

Moore said that once teen and adult readers have registered for the program, they will be able to log the books they read over the summer and earn badges and raffle tickets for prizes. The online program also allows readers to see their daily reading streak. “If reading is important to you, then it is a good way to see that you’re taking that time for yourself every day,” Moore said.

The June 21 kickoff party will feature a variety of activities for teens and adults, including a DJ courtesy of Big Bill Entertainment, lawn games such as giant checkers/chess, giant Connect Four and corn hole, and free Tarot card readings by Maria Molteni. Food will also be available for purchase from the Chubby Chickpea and Marty’s Wood Fired Pizza food trucks.

Patrons who register that evening for the summer reading program will receive raffle tickets for prizes that include bundles of new books, some of which are signed copies. In addition, for every hour that they read throughout the summer, participants will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win gift cards from local businesses, such as Copper City Espresso and An Unlikely Story.

Every person who registers will also automatically be entered to win the grand prize: a year-long family membership to The Trustees, which owns and maintains more than 100 properties across Massachusetts, from historic houses to public gardens to hiking trails and more. Prizes have been donated by participating businesses or the Friends of the Canton Library.

In keeping with the theme of reading “Beyond the Beaten Path,” there will be other activities throughout the summer that are nature-related, including an opportunity to help start a pollinator garden behind the library to support local ecological health. Game night activities will also continue on Thursdays during the summer from 6-8 p.m., and the “Mindful Mondays” series will focus on ways to reduce stress through activities such as art projects and guided meditation.

Parking for the summer reading kickoff party will be available at the library at 786 Washington Street and across the street at Town Hall.

Jackie Abrams, the PreK-5 humanities coordinator for the Canton Public Schools, recently sent a letter home to parents and guardians informing them that the schools are partnering with the library to invite children to use bingo cards to keep track of how much time they spend reading this summer.

Once they have completed a row on one of the bingo cards — each space represents 15 minutes of reading — children can take their card to the library, where they will receive stickers and have a choice between reaching into the prize box or receiving a raffle ticket for a chance to win a bigger prize, such as a gift card to Altitude Trampoline Park, Crescent Ridge or the Village Toy Shop. Children are eligible to earn up to one prize per day, and raffle winners will be announced at the closing party on August 26. The bingo cards are available online and at the library.

At the kickoff picnic on June 21, attendees will be able to register for the summer reading program and also enjoy games, crafts, and a chance to win prizes. Over the summer, students can log the minutes that they spend reading, submit book reviews, and attend library events to earn badges, stickers, and prizes. It is also possible to register online for the summer reading program by going to canton.beanstack.org.

Children’s Librarian Ann Woodman is looking forward to seeing many young readers in the Children’s Room over the next few months. “I hope everyone loves reading this summer,” she said. For families who will be traveling, Woodman noted that the library also offers many online resources, “so you can take the library with you this summer.”

Canton Library Director Andrea Capone is hoping to see a strong turnout on Tuesday for both kickoff events. “Summer reading is truly for everyone,” she said. “On June 21, we welcome folks of all ages, including teens and adults, to stop by the front lawn of the library and register for our free summer reading program. While you are here, play some lawn games, dance to the music from our live DJ, take a photo in our photo booth, and buy some dinner from the food trucks! Come kick off the start of summer and pick out some great books to take to the beach.”

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Jun 17 2022. Filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.